Discover Japan with Hiroshima (OJE) - 2016

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13 Day Tour from Tokyo to Osaka

Vacation Overview

From bustling cities to quiet mountain villages, experience the distinct flavor of Japan during this amazing vacation. Start in Tokyo, a fascinating metropolis and Japan’s capital city. Explore the city and delve into the local culture as you try on a traditional kimono and partake in a traditional tea ceremony. Next, travel to Mount Fuji, where you will cruise on Lake Ashi and take a cable-car ride for spectacular views. In Takayama, sample sake and visit the local morning market, where farmers display their goods. Then, visit Kanazawa, where you will take part in a gold-leaf class and visit Kenroku-en, one of Japan’s greatest gardens. According to the ancient Chinese book of gardens, gardens should have six different sublime qualities, but it is rare to find all six qualities in a garden. Dating from the 1670s, Kenroku-en does, in fact, combine the six sublime qualities—spaciousness & seclusion, artifice & antiquity, and water-courses & panoramas. Continue on to historic Kyoto, and participate in a Japanese cooking class with a local chef. Learn how to make a sushi roll and more! You will also explore several temples, including the Temple of the Gold Pavilion and Sanjusangendo, famous for its 1001 statues of the Buddhist goddess of mercy. In nearby Nara, visit Todaiji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Japan’s most significant temples. In Hiroshima, visit the Peace Memorial Park and see the dome that miraculously remained standing as all the structures around it were destroyed by the atomic bombing. The dome is now a symbol of peace—you may even see doves flying around the park!At the end of your journey you’re sure to have lots of stories and photos to share with loved ones back home!

DAY 1Arrive in Tokyo, Japan

DAY 2Tokyo

Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions prior to morning sightseeing in Tokyo. Your tour takes you to the MEIJI SHRINE, a magnificent 20th-century Shinto monument set in a man-made forest, followed by a drive to see the Imperial Palace. Next, visit an artist’s studio and learn to write like a local during a CALLIGRAPHY CLASS with a master calligrapher. Here, you’ll also have the opportunity to try on a traditional KIMONO and partake in a TRADITIONAL TEA CEREMONY, a wonderfully choreographed ritual of preparing and serving Japanese green tea. Last stop is the ASAKUSA KANNON TEMPLE and the NAKAMISE SHOPPING ARCADE. The balance of the afternoon is at leisure. Tonight, join your traveling companions at a welcome dinner hosted by your Tour Director. After dinner, take a WALKING TOUR with your Tour Director among the dazzling neon lights of Shinjuku. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

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DAY 3Tokyo–Kamakura–Mount Fuji Area

This morning, leave Tokyo and head south along the coast to Kamakura to see the 750-year-old Great Buddha. Continue on to the Mount Fuji area for a CRUISE on Lake Ashi, followed by a CABLE-CAR RIDE (weather permitting) for panoramic views of spectacular Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

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DAY 4Mount Fuji Area–Matsumoto–Takayama

Journey to Matsumoto, gateway to the Japanese Alps. Visit famous MATSUMOTO CASTLE, dating back to 1593, and discover the history at the MATSUMOTO CITY MUSEUM. Later, travel through the ruggedly beautiful Japanese Alps to Takayama. Tonight, enjoy a wonderful Japanese-style dinner at your hotel. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

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DAY 5Takayama

Today begins with a visit to the MORNING MARKET, where farmers display locally grown fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Then, visit TAKAYAMA JINYA, a former government office during the Edo Period from 1692-1868. This well-preserved building is a national historic site and the only remaining building of its kind in Japan. Continue on to the San-Machi Suji historic district—famous for lacquerware shops and sake breweries, and identified by the sugidama, balls made of cedar branches that hang over the entrances. Stop at one of the breweries for a SAKE TASTING. The balance of the day is at leisure, providing you time to explore the narrow streets where merchants buy and sell as they have for 300 years. (Breakfast)

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DAY 6Takayama–Shirakawa–Kanazawa

This morning, enjoy a drive through the mountainous Shokawa Valley to Shirakawa. This remote region of Japan is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites due to the unique GASSHO-ZUKURI-style (joined hands) thatched houses that can be found only here. Continue to the scenic town of Kanazawa, situated between the mountains and the Sea of Japan and once the country’s richest region. Your Tour Director leads you on a tour of one of Japan’s greatest gardens, KENROKU-EN, the “Garden of Six Qualities,” dating from the 1670s. Afterward, partake in a GOLD LEAF CLASS, where you learn more about this ancient traditional craft and make your own bento box souvenir. Your included dinner tonight is at your choice of one of three restaurants at your hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner)

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The World Heritage List includes over 800 properties with cultural and/or natural heritage of global significance.

DAY 7Kanazawa–Kyoto

This morning, board the THUNDERBIRD EXPRESS TRAIN for your journey to Kyoto. Upon arrival, stop at SANJUSANGENDO TEMPLE, famous for its 1,001 statues of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. Flanking the main statue are 1,000 more life-sized statues, covered in gold leaf, with 40 arms said to have the power to save 25 worlds. After lunch in a local restaurant, visit the FUSHIMI INARI SHRINE, renowned for the thousands of brightly colored Torii Gates. Afterward, continue on to the Higashiyama District to visit KIYOMIZU TEMPLE, the “Pure Water Temple,” with stunning views over Kyoto. Along the way, walk through the busy streets, where shops and restaurants have been catering to pilgrims for centuries. This evening, you may choose to stay in a traditional Japanese ryokan. (Breakfast, Lunch)Traditional Ryokan Stay Immerse yourself in the Japanese culture and hospitality at a ryokan (Japanese inn). Your ryokan features traditional touches—tatami mat floors, a thin sleeping mattress on the floor, and the chance to experience a Japanese-style bath—as well as the modern convenience of a private bathroom. Included: transfers to/from ryokan from/to hotel in Kyoto; traditional Japanese dinner and breakfast.NOTE: Space is limited and should be requested at the time of booking.

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DAY 8Kyoto

This morning starts with a visit to stunning Kinkakuji, the TEMPLE OF THE GOLD PAVILION. Next, visit YUZEN HANDMADE CORNER to learn about the Yuzen dyeing technique used to decorate kimonos by painting dye directly on the cloth. You will be invited to participate in making your own souvenir using this traditional method. For lunch, participate in a special JAPANESE COOKING CLASS. Under the instruction of a local chef you will learn how to make miso soup, teriyaki chicken, and makizushi, more commonly known as a sushi roll. The afternoon is at your leisure to explore this fascinating city on your own. (Breakfast, Lunch)

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DAY 9Kyoto. Nara Excursion

This morning, take an excursion to NARA, the oldest capital of Japan. Here, visit two separate UNESCO World Heritage Sites. First, at Nara Park, is TODAIJI TEMPLE, built in 752 AD and one of Japan’s most famous significant temples. Rebuilt after a fire in 1692, the temple is only two-thirds its original size, yet remains the world’s largest wooden building. The Daibutsu (Giant Buddha) inside the main hall is made of copper and bronze, and is the largest in all of Japan, weighing in at 250 tons and standing some 49 feet tall! Nearby is KASUGA SHRINE, known for its 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns. Return to Kyoto for some leisure time. Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a farewell dinner to celebrate your discovery of Japan. (Breakfast, Dinner)

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The World Heritage List includes over 800 properties with cultural and/or natural heritage of global significance.

DAY 10Kyoto–Hiroshima

Board one of Japan’s famous BULLET TRAINS bound for Hiroshima. Later, join the afternoon excursion to MIYAJIMA ISLAND to visit ITSUKUSHIMA SHRINE, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its floating Torii Gate. (Breakfast)

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The World Heritage List includes over 800 properties with cultural and/or natural heritage of global significance.

DAY 11Hiroshima–Okayama

Today’s sightseeing starts at the SHUKKEI-EN GARDEN, where natural landscapes are represented in miniature form. Then, stop at PEACE MEMORIAL PARK to see the PEACE MEMORIAL, commonly referred to as the Atomic Bomb Dome, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been preserved just as it was on August 6, 1945, immediately after the bombing. You will also visit the MEMORIAL MUSEUM and MEMORIAL HALL, which memorialize the lives lost that day. Next, drive to Okayama, with a stop at the OHARA MUSEUM OF ART en route. (Breakfast)

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The World Heritage List includes over 800 properties with cultural and/or natural heritage of global significance.

DAY 12Okayama–Osaka

This morning, visit a TRADITIONAL POTTERY WORKSHOP to learn more about Bizen-yaki, one of Japan’s six ancient pottery styles dating back over 1,000 years. You will also visit KORAKU-EN, one of the “Three Great Gardens of Japan.” Later, drive to bustling Osaka. (Breakfast)

DAY 13Osaka

American breakfast daily, 5 lunches, 5 dinners including a welcome dinner in Tokyo and a farewell dinner in Kyoto.

With Globus, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of your Tour Director. Averaging over a decade... we’d like you to meet a Tour Director, who is representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

KUMIKO NONOYAMA

Years of Experience: 6 years

Japan is a fascinating country with long-standing traditions and customs based on the localities and four distinct seasons. As a Tour Director, I am privileged to meet travelers from around the world who are interested in exploring my country. I am more than happy to help people see what makes Japan so unique!

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